Adjustable machines for grinding knives and the like



Sept. 18, 1962 J. w. PEASLEY ET AL 3,054,229

7 ADJUSTABLE MACHINES FOR GRINDING KNIVES AND THE LIKE Filigkl NOV. 15. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5g .5. J9 J7 J0 INVENTORS T107172 Z J. Peas Zey Wed 0 7/. ,Dz'pczfiyzzaie 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. W. PEASLEY ET AL 45 57 E I I ADJUSTABLE MACHINES FOR GRINDING KNIVES AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 15. 1960 Sept. 18, 1962 am y, mam w ma? 1707111 MP Med O l/DZ I rates This invention is directed to a novel adjustable powerdriven machine for grinding and sharpening knives and other blade-containing tools.

- The following are important objects and accomplishments of our invention:

(a) To provide a power-driven blade grinding machine which includes a vertically slidable means for r-otatably mounting a driven abrasive wheel and shaft thereof which has novel manually adjust-able mechanism for selectively moving and positioning said slidable mounting means in varied positions and varied heights.

(b) To provide a slidable and pivotal mounting head and a track rod on which it is transversely slidable, and having a slidable mounting block which carries a blade clamping mechanism and having manually controlled means for advancing and retracting said block and the blade clamping mechanism thereon; and having manually adjustable mechanism adjusting the position of said head and said block angularly relative to a driven abrasive wheel; said last mentioned head adjusting mechanism providing for holding a clamping means and blades therein at different angles relative to a face of an abrasive wheel to produce varying bevels on blades.

() To provide a tiltable slidable mounting head carrying a slidable blade clamping means and which is slidable and tiltable on a transverse track rod and which includes an adjustable screw and a roller journalled thereon which rides on a separate stationary horizontal rail on the frame of the machine to maintain said slidable head and said blade clamping means in different desired angular positions relative to a driven abrasive wheel so that varying and desired bevels can be produced on blades being sharpened. (d) To provide an adjustable mechanism, co-operating with the other mechanisms recited in the preceding paragraph, which will stop and limit the advancing or feeding movements of blades relative to the abrasive wheel to thereby limit the amount of grinding of blades beyond what is necessary.

A further object and accomplishment of our invention is the provision of an adjustable grinding machine for sharpening blades and having a supporting frame; a casing or mounting means slidably mounted relative to said frame; manually adjustable means for moving said casing relative to said frame; said casing carrying a motor and a journalled shaft adapted to support an abrasive wheel; a transverse track rail and a spaced apart track rod mounted on the upper part of said frame; a passaged slidable and pivotal mounting head slidable on said track rod; a block and a blade clamp slidable relative to said head; manually adjustable mechanism for sliding and holding said block and said clarnp in varied positions; and manually adjustable mechanism on said head for holding said head and said block and clamp in different angular positions during horizontal movements of said head and having means for horizontally pivoting said blade holding clamp.

Other and further important objects of our invention will be apparent from the following description and claims.

On the drawings:

' FIG. 1 is a front elevation of our novel adjustable machine for grinding knives and blades.

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FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partially cross sectional view taken on a vertical plane indicated by line 33 of FIG. 2 and showing certain parts in elevation.

Numeral 10 designates a transverse metal base which forms a part of the outer metal frame 11 and which is supported by depending metal legs 12, as partially illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Said outer frame 11 includes a vertical front wall 9-on the lateral edges of which are secured by screws a pair of vertical tongue bearing slotted front guide bars or tracks 13. Said frame includes vertical side walls 14 which may be of substantially triangular shape suitably joined, for example, by welding, at their lower edges to base 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). Mounted for vertical movement within the frame 11 is a metal casing or housing 15 which has a vertical front wall or panel or mounting plate 16 which :has edge opening grooves; passaged top wall 17, bottom ring 18 and vertical arcuate side wall 19.

A substantially arcuate side wall or shield 19, as illustrated in FIG. 2, has its opposite lateral edges secured by welding to the inner face or front mounting panel 16, as shown in FIG. 2. Top wall 17 is secured by screws, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to front mounting plate 16 and is secured by welding to the upper edge of curved side wall 19.

As shown in FIG. 2, front mounting plate or wall 16 has two parallel longitudinal grooves in its opposite edges which slidably engage the inwardly projecting tongues 20 of the two guide bars .13 whereby the housing 15 is slidably mounted. Numeral 21 designates a transversely projecting metal extension or lug which has a vertical threaded passage and which is secured by welding to the slidable mounting plate 16 and projects through a vertical slot 22 formed by front wall 9 of frame 1 1. The forward edge of base 10 has a hole therein in which is journalled an adjusting screw 23 whose upper portion threads in the passage of lug 21. A thrust collar 24 is secured about the shank of screw 2'3 and adjacent the base 10 so that rotation of said screw will move lug 21 vertically. A hand wheel 25 is preferably securely mounted on the lower end of screw 23. Rotation of hand wheel 25 and screw 23 in one direction will move the housing and attached parts upwardly and movement thereof in the other direction will move it downward within the limits permitted by slot 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, the top wall 17 has a central depending apertured boss or annular flange 26 in which is secured a metal bearing sleeve 27. .lournalle'd in bearing sleeve 27 is a vertical shaft 28 on which are mounted an upper annular bearing 29 and a lower thrust collar 30 above and below the sleeve 27. The upper end portion of shaft 28 is reduced and threaded and has removably mounted on it an abrasive wheel 31 by means of a washer and a nut 32, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Said wheel 31 is preferably of cup shape, though may vary in shape to present an upward face for engagement by a blade.

As shown in FIG. 3, a metal apertured mounting bracket or motor base 33 is secured perpendicularly adjacent the inner face of the front mounting panel by a plurality of bolts or screws 34, preferably four, which extend through the edge apertures in bracket or base 33 and which thread into threaded holes of the spaced apart metal studs 35 respectively, which said studs are secured by welding to the front mounting panel 16.

A suitable electric motor 36 is mounted on base 33, which is connected by circuit wires to an electric source, and so that its armature shaft 37 extends upward in alignment with shaft 28. A flanged coupling 38 has its opposite connected end portions secured on shaft 28 and an armature shaft 37 respectively, to thereby operatively connect said wheel shaft and said motor.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a horizontal elongated metal track rail 40 is secured by welding to the upper edge portion of the front wall 9, said r-ail being of substantially rectangular cross section and its opposite ends projecting beyond the side walls of the machine. Secured on the opposite ends of rail 40 are metal extensions or cars 41 extending forwardly. A horizontal round track bar 42 has its opposite ends mounted in said cars 41 so that said track bar is spaced from, though parallel to, track rail 40 and positioned lower than the upper edge of track rail 40.

The following is a description of the adjustable and slidable blade carrying mechanism:

Numeral 43 is an angular metal mounting head which has a transversely passaged integral depending arm, said passage being of a size to slide on the round track bar 42. Said depending arm has a threaded passage therein in which is threaded a handle-bearing screw 44. The inner end of screw 44 has journalled on it a frusto-conical roller 45 which rollably engages the upper edge of track rail 40, as shown in FIG. 3.

The mounting head 43 has an upwardly opening wide groove 46 therein in which is slidably mounted a metal block 47. Block 47 has a threaded passage, as shown in FIG. 3. A handle-bearing adjusting screw 48 is journalled in the upper projection of head 43 and threads into the threaded passage of slidable block 47. A thrust collar 49 is mounted on the shank portion of screw 48 adjacent the projection of head 43, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be understood that rotation of screw in clockwise direction will retract slide block 47 and that rotation thereof in the opposite direction will advance or project said block forwardly.

The adjustable blade clamping means comprises a horizontal recessed and apertured clamping jaw 50 which has a central hole. Said clamping jaw 50 is pivotally and removably mounted on a vertical pivot stud 51 which is mounted in a vertical hole in the forward portion of the slidable block 47, as illustrated in FIG. 3. An apertured upper clamping plate or jaw 52 is releasably clamped by means of a pair of screws 53 to impinge and releasably hold a knife blade therebetween, as illustrated in the drawings. It is advantageous to remove the jaw 50 and clamping plate 52 entirely from the machine by lifting it from the pivoting stud 51 and to then clamp the blade in position and then remount the jaw and plate on the pivot stud 51.

The said pivotal mounting of the blade clamping means has the advantage of permitting the operator to horizontally pivot the clamping means and the blade so as to present narrower parts or tapered parts of knife blades to uniform grinding action so the entire cutting edges of pointed knives, or the like, will be beveled and ground and sharpened to the same degree. It will be understood that if the knife blades being sharpened could not be horizontally pivoted to uniformly present their narrower or tapered ends for adequate contact with a driven abrasive wheel, such narrower and curved blade parts could not be properly ground and sharpened.

In operation, the pivotal slidable mounting head 43 is set by operation of screw 44 so as to hold the jaw 50 and clamping plate and a blade mounted between same in a slightly downwardly inclined position. The driven abrasive wheel 31 is elevated or lowered to desired position so that the forward edge of the blade will contact and be ground away by the upper peripheral face of the abrasive wheel. As the grinding progresses the operator will rotate hand screw 44 counterclockwise to retract conical roller 45 relative to rail 40 to thereby lower the forward portion of the mounting head 43 to in turn lower the clamping means and the blade to cause the edge of the blade to be additionally ground. During operation, it is important that the mounting head and blade clamping means be reciprocated horizontally on the track rod 42 to cause the entire or the desired portion of the blade cutting edge to be ground, beveled and sharpened to the desired degree.

An important advantage of our described construction which includes the mechanism for adjusting the angular position of the clamp and blade held thereby, and of the slidable block thereof, is that an operator may selectively grind different bevels on different blades or tools by presetting the positions of the abrasive wheel and of the mechanism and clamp for holding the blades to be sharpened and maintenance of proper bevels is of utmost importance in knives used in various industries and particularly in slaughtering, dressing and processing of meat animals.

We provide adjustable means for limiting the advancing or forward movements of the blades being sharepend. This means includes an apertured adjustable angular bracket which comprises a vertical post 54 secured at its lower end to the top wall 17 beyond the position of the periphery of the grinding wheels. Pivotally connected by a screw 55 to the upper end of said post or support 54 is a slotted horizontally extending metal arm 56 whose outer end has a threaded hole therein. Said arm 56 is longitudinally adjustable, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Mounted in said threaded hole is a depending threaded pin or stub shaft 57 on whose upper end is threaded a hand operated nut 53. An inner metal bearing sleeve 59 is journalled on the depending portion of shaft 57 and held thereon by a washer and the lower enlarged head of said shaft which is positioned below the plane of the grinding face of a cupshaped wheel, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Mounted about the bearing sleeve 59 is a roller or layer 60 of relatively soft material which will not dull sharp cutting edges, for example, nylon, and which will be contacted by the sharp edge of the knife as the knife is advanced and reciprocated longitudinally during the grinding operation. Said soft material of said roller 60 will act as a stop to limit the advancing movements of the blades being sharpened so that the grinding of the bevels may be properly controlled and so that too much metal is not ground away.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes may be restorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter and it is contemplated that various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or any part thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an adjustable machine for grinding knives, a supported frame; an inner housing; means for slidably mounting said housing vertically relative to said frame; means for adjustably moving said housing; a motor mounted in said housing; a vertical shaft driven by said motor and journalled in the upper part of said housing; said shaft being adapted to mount an abrasive wheel on its upper end; a horizontal track rail mounted on said frame; a track rod adjacent said frame; a grooved and passaged mounting head slidable and pivoted on said track rod; a lower screw threaded in said head; a roller journalled on said lower screw and engaging said track rail; a block slidable in said head; an upper screw journalled in said head and threaded in said block; and an adjustable knife clamping member pivoted on said slidable block for horizontally pivoting the work, the rotation of said first screw being adapted to tilt said head to ad just the angular position of said clamping member, the rotation of said upper screw being adapted to advance and to retract said slidable block and said knife clamping member relative to an abrasive wheel on said shaft.

2. In an adjustable machine for grinding knives; a supported frame; an inner housing; manually operable means for slidably mounting said housing vertically relative to said frame; manually operated screw means for vertically moving said housing; a motor mounted in said housing; a vertical shaft driven by said motor and journalled in the upper part of said housing; said shaft being adapted to mount an abrasive wheel on its upper end; a horizontal track rail mounted adjacent the upper portion of said frame; a track rod mounted adjacent said track rail; a grooved and passaged mounting head having a depending apertured ear slidable and pivoted on said track rod; a lower screw threaded in said head; a roller journalled on said lower screw and engaging said track rail; a block slidable in said head; an upper screw in said head and having its end engaging said slidable block; and an adjustable knife clamping member mounted on said slidable block; the rotation of said lower screw being adapted to tilt said head to adjust the angular position of said clamping member, the rotation of said upper screw being adapted to advance and to retract said slidable block and said knife clamping member relative to an abrasive wheel on said shaft, said head and said clamp being horizontally movable along said track rod and said track rail.

3. An adjustable machine for grinding knives or the like, substantially as recited in claim 2, and in which said means for slidably mounting said housing includes a manually operable screw journalled in the lower part of said frame and threadingly engaging said housing; and wherein said knife clamping member is pivoted for horizontal movement relative to said slidable block; and having an adjustable means for stopping the feeding movement of said knife clamping member.

4. In an adjustable grinding machine in combination; a frame having vertical guide tracks; a slidable mounting member having one portion thereof slidably engaging said guide tracks; a motor mounted on said mounting member; a driven vertical shaft connected to said motor, said shaft being adapted to mount an abrasive wheel; a grooved and passaged mounting head slidably mounted relative to said frame, for transverse movement relative to an abrasive Wheel on said shaft; a block slidable in said head to and from an abrasive wheel on said shaft; an adjustable knife holding clamp mounted on said block for movement therewith; a horizontal track mounted on said frame on which said mounting head is slidable; manually adjustable means on said mounting head for advancing and retracting said block; and manually adjustable means for adjusting the angular positions of said mounting head and of said clamp.

5. An adjustable grinding machine for knives or the like, substantially as recited in claim 4, and having an adjustable bracket on the upper end of said mounting member and projecting substantially over said shaft; and a roller adjustably mounted on said bracket adapted to engage a knife edge to limit the advancing movement thereof.

6. An adjustable grinding machine for knives, as recited in claim 4, and in which said manually adjustable means for advancing and retracting said block includes a threaded screw journalled in said head and engaging said slidable block; and in which said adjustable means for adjusting the angular positions of said mounting head includes a horizontal manually operable screw engaging said head and a beveled roller on said screw engaging said track.

7. In combination with an adjustable grinding machine having a mounted motor and a driven shaft journalled on a supporting member; a base having upward extensions; adjustable means on said base for raising and lowering said supporting member relative to said base; a horizontal track rail secured on an extension of said base; a track rod mounted parallel to said rail and spaced therefrom; a mounting head having a lower passaged portion slidable and pivotal on said track rod, and having a grooved upper portion normally extending toward said shaft; a passaged mounting block slidable in the groove of said head; a manually adjustable screw in said head and engaging said slidable mounting block; a bladeclamping mechanism removably mounted on said mounting head; and a manually adjustable means rollably engaging said track rail for holding said head in diiferent angular positions during its rollable engagement with said track rail.

8. In an adjustable machine for grinding knives and blades; an apertured base; a metal frame having a vertical slotted front wall and having a pair of vertical guide tracks; a metal housing movably mounted in said frame and having a front Wall slidably engaging said guide tracks; a lug secured on the front wall of said housing and having a threaded passage; a threaded screw journalled in said base and threaded in said lug for raising and lowering said housing; an electric motor; a bracket connected to said casing and mounting said motor; an upwardly projecting vertical shaft operatively connected to said motor and journalled in the top wall of said housing; a horizontal track rail mounted on said frame; a track rod mounted adjacent said track rail; an angular passaged longitudinally grooved head slidable on said rod; a threaded mounting block slidable within said grooved head; an upper hand screw journalled in said head and threaded in said mounting block; a clamping plate adjustably secured on said mounting block and adapted to clamp a blade against said block; a second hand screw threaded in said head; a conical roller journalled on the inner end of said second hand screw and normally engaging said track rail; the screw actuated movement of said roller being adapted to adjust the forward portion of said head and said clamping plate and knife held thereby into different angular positions relative to the upper face of an abrasive wheel, rotation of said first hand screw being adapted to retract or project said slidable block, said clamping plate and a blade held thereby relative to an abrasive wheel.

9. In a machine for grinding knives, an apertured base; legs on said base; a metal frame having a vertical slotted front wall and connected to vertical side walls; a substantially rectangular apertured casing mounted movably in said frame and having a front wall adjacent said slotted frame front wall; an internally threaded projecting lug secured on said casing front wall and extending through the slot of said frame front wall; a vertical manually operable screw journalled in said base, said screw threadingly engaging said lug, the rotation of said screw being adapted to move said casing vertically; a pair of guide tracks mounted on opposite sides of said frame, the lateral edges of said casing front wall having a slidable interfitting engagement with said guide tracks; an electric motor; a bracket connected to said casing and mounting said motor; a vertical shaft connected to said motor and journalled in the top wall of said casing and projecting thereabove; an abrasive wheel mounted on the upper end of said shaft for rotation in a horizontal plane; a horizontal elongated track rail mounted on the upper front portion of said frame; a track rod mounted adjacent said track rail; a passaged angular grooved head slidable on said track rod; an internally threaded mounting block slidable in the groove of said head; a hand screw journalled in said head and threaded in said block; a clamping plate adjustably secured on said mounting block and adapted to clamp a blade against said block; a second hand screw threaded in the middle portion of said head; a conical roller journalled on the inner end of said second hand screw and normally riding on said track rail; the screw actuated movement of said roller being adapted to adjust the forward portion of said head and said clamping plate and knife held thereby into different angular positions relative to the upper face of said abrasive wheel, rotation of said first hand screw being adapted to retract References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson Aug. 23, 1955 8 Sasse July 10, 1956 Strnod July 10, 1956 Franklin Sept. 11, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden Nov. 23, 1948 

